AQUAPUNCTURE AS A TREATMENT OF EQUINE SYNDROMES: IS THERE AN EFFECT OVER BLOOD WORK AND CORTISOL VALUES

Abstract

 Equine syndromes are determined by a combination of touch-sensitive acupuncture points, found in certain conditions as osteomuscular lesions, herpes virus and equine protozoal encephalomyelitis. The aim of this research was to verify the effect of aquapuncture in Bai Hui, Gallbladder 27, Stomach 30 and Spleen 13 as a treatment for equine syndromes, over cortisol and hemogram values after exercise in Thoroughbreds. Eighteen equine athletes were used, all trained for races of 1,100 and 2,000 m by same trainer and jockey. They were randomly divided in three groups (n=6). The horses of ConG (control) were not treated. Horses of FaG (sham) were submitted to sham aquapuncture and the ones of AcuG (aquapuncture) were treated using specific points to treat the equine syndromes, as well as, Bai Hui, Sp13, GB27 e St30. All the animals received a three week treatment. The performance was evaluated before and after treatments, by a step velocity test. The blood samples for the hematological evaluation were collected before and immediately after the exercise and cortisol values were determined at rest and 30 min after the test. The cortisol, the hematocrit and the erythrocyte count values were greater after the exercise for all groups, and hematocrit was lower in AcuG when compared to other groups at both times. There were no differences in leukocyte count, neutrophils or lymphocytes. According to our study, aquapuncture's mechanism of action did not influence blood values or cortisol in Thoroughbreds.

KEYWORDS: Acupuncture. Equine. Performance. Stress. Erythrocytes.